Beijing will do good job if wins 2022 Winter Olympics, says Rogge

NANJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Beijing will do a "very good job" if it wins the right to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, former International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said here on Friday.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Rogge, who is in the capital city of Jiangsu Province for the 2nd Summer Youth Olympics, said that the Chinese people have the capability of organizing any big event.

"Of course, Beijing is not alone. There are other candidates. But I'm sure if Beijing wins (the 2022 bid), they will do very good job," said Rogge.

Along with Beijing, Oslo and Almaty now remain in the race for the 2022 Winter Games. The IOC will choose the host city by a secret ballot in Kuala Lumpur on July 31, 2015.

Rogge, who stepped down from the IOC presidency in September last year, also expressed his confidence in the successful running of the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games, which will officially open on Saturday.

"I have been previleged to follow the preparations very closely since Nanjing was elected (as the host city). I came four or five times to review the preparations, so I know exactly what you did. It is remarkable. I'm very grateful to the Chinese people and Nanjing for what they have done," said the 72-year-old Belgian.

"My expectations (on the Nanjing YOG) are very high. I'm sure the young athletes will enjoy it," he added.

The former IOC chief is optimistic about the future of the YOG, which was launched four years ago, although some doubt that the YOG would affected by the Olympic Games.

"These games (YOG) will grow in importance," said Rogge.

"This is only the second time they are being organized. With time the Youth Games will develop. They will prove to be very, very important for the Olympic Movement, because it's an ideal way to bring young people to sport, and to bring sport to the whole world."

Rogge refused to comment on the Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap of the Olympic Movement which was initiated by his succeesor Thomas Bach.

"For me it's difficult to comment about these changes, because they have not been approved yet. They will be debated in the general assembly of the IOC in December. Only then the decisions will be taken. I cannot comment right now, because this is future," he said.